Object detection system providing driver information through sound

ABSTRACT

A vehicle object detection system is disclosed that audibly conveys to the vehicle operator the direction of the detected object relative to the vehicle through the vehicle&#39;s audio system. The system includes a sensor array, a processor, and a speaker arrangement. The sensor array detects an object remote from the vehicle and generates a signal when an object has been detected. The processor receives and processes the sensor array signal. Then, the processor transmits the processed signal to the speaker arrangement. The speaker arrangement audibly conveys the processed signal over multiple audio channels. The method of detecting an object remote from the vehicle is also disclosed. The method involves detecting an object remote from the vehicle, determining information relating to the object, determining whether the information relating to the object meets certain criteria and, if certain criteria are met, transmitting sound over multiple audio channels to audibly convey object information through the vehicle&#39;s audio system, and modulating the sound outputted to give the driver directional cues for the position of the object.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an object detection systemused in a vehicle and, more specifically, to an audibly conveyed objectdetection system used in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Object detection devices that are used in association with vehicles arewell known. These systems are designed to aid the driver of the vehicleby obtaining information on the environment surrounding the vehicle.Some known systems include back-up sensor systems and objectillumination systems.

One type of back-up sensor system currently employed in vehiclesinvolves detecting an object in the path of a rearward-moving vehicle.In this scenario, as the vehicle backs up sensors positioned on the rearside of the vehicle will detect an object in the vehicle's path. Thesesystems typically have a speaker separate from the vehicle's radiosystem from which a beeping sound is transmitted if an object isdetected in the vehicle's path.

In many of these back-up sensor systems, the frequency of the beepingsound varies depending on the distance of the detected object from thevehicle. There are typically three frequency ranges. The first frequencyis the fastest, the third frequency is the slowest, and the secondfrequency is intermediate between the first and third frequencies.Further, there are typically three distance ranges associated with thevarying frequencies of the beeping sound.

For example, if the object is positioned within the first distance rangea first frequency beeping sound will be transmitted via the speaker. Ifthe object is positioned within the second distance range, a secondfrequency beeping sound will be transmitted via the speaker. If theobject is positioned within the third distance range, a third frequencybeeping sound will be transmitted via the speaker.

A disadvantage of this system is that only objects that are directly inthe path of the rearward-moving vehicle are detected. Further, anotherdisadvantage is that the system is limited to detecting objects behindthe vehicle.

Another type of object detection system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,281,806. More specifically, this system is an object illuminationsystem. The invention involves detecting an object remote from a vehicleand using a controlled light source to continuously illuminate theobject. The light source is adapted to continuously illuminate thedetected object including simultaneous motion of the vehicle and objectwith respect to one another. A disadvantage of this system is that itmay not aid a visually impaired driver in detecting the presence of anobject remote from the vehicle. Another disadvantage of this type ofsystem is that the driver's attention is directed away from the road.

Thus, there is a need in the vehicle situational awareness systems fieldto create an improved, new and useful audibly conveyed vehiclesituational awareness system. Specifically, there is a need for anobject detection system that will overcome the disadvantages outlined inassociation with known object detection systems. This invention providessuch an improved, new and useful vehicle situational awareness system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an object detection system for use in avehicle that audibly conveys, via multiple channel sound, informationabout a detected object to the driver. The system includes a sensorarray, a processor, and a speaker arrangement.

The sensor array detects an object remote from the vehicle over a largeangular range around the vehicle. Further, the sensor array generates asignal when an object has been detected.

The processor performs several functions. The processor receives thesensor array signal, processes the signal, and transmits a processedsensor array signal.

The speaker arrangement is disposed inside of the vehicle and is drivenby the processor. Specifically, the speaker arrangement receives theprocessed signal transmitted from the processor. Upon receipt of aprocessed signal identifying an object and its features, the speakerarrangement transmits multiple channel sound to audibly convey theinformation received. The processor modulates the sound produced by thespeakers to add a spatial dimension to the information in which thesound is interpreted by the driver as emanating from the same directionas the object location relative to the vehicle.

A method of detecting an object remote from a vehicle is also disclosed.The method includes the steps of: A) detecting an object remote from avehicle; B) determining information relating to the object; C)determining whether the information relating to the object meets certaincriteria; if certain criteria are met, D) transmitting sound overmultiple audio channels to audibly convey the object information throughan audio system in the vehicle; and E) modulating the sound outputted togive the driver directional cues for the position of the object.

One advantage of the present invention is that it audibly conveys, viamultiple channel sound, information regarding a detected object to thedriver of the vehicle that includes the direction of the object relativeto the vehicle. Therefore, the driver can continue to focus on the roadwith heightened awareness. Another advantage of the present invention isthat the sensors are positioned around the vehicle such that an objectpositioned at any point around the periphery of the vehicle can bedetected. Further, a maximum amount of information relating to theobject can be detected. Another advantage is that, preferably, thespeaker arrangement is part of the vehicle's audio system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representation of a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionis not intended to limit the invention to this preferred embodiment, butrather to enable a person skilled in the art of object detection systemsto make and use this invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the disclosed object detection system, showngenerally at 20, is used in a vehicle 22 to audibly notify a humanoperator 24 of the vehicle 22 that an object 26 remote from the vehicle22 has been detected. The preferred embodiment of the object detectionsystem 20 for use in a vehicle 22 includes a sensor array 28 disposed onthe outside of the vehicle 22, a processor 30, and a speaker arrangement32 disposed on the inside of the vehicle 22. The sensor array 28 detectsan object 26 remote from the vehicle 22 and generates a signal upondetecting the object 26. The processor 30 receives the sensor arraysignal, processes the signal and, transmits the processed signal to thespeaker arrangement 32. The speaker arrangement 32 receives theprocessed signal from the processor 30 and audibly transmits viamultiple channel sound the processed signal.

Preferably, the sensor array 28 includes at least four sensors 28(a),28(b), 28(c), 28(d). Further, the vehicle 22 will typically have foursides, a front side 34(a), a left side 34(b), a right side 34(c), and arear side 34(d). At least one sensor 28 will be positioned on each ofthe four sides 34 of the vehicle 22. For example, a first sensor 28(a)will be on the front side 34(a) of the vehicle 22, a second sensor 28(b)will be on the left side 34 (b) of the vehicle 22, a third sensor 28(c)will be on the right side 34(c) of the vehicle 22, and a fourth sensor28(d) will be on the rear side 34(d) of the vehicle 22. Although the useof four sensors is disclosed, it is understood that any number ofsensors can be used and numerous sensor configurations can be used andfall within the scope of the present invention.

Further, different types of sensors can be used in the sensor array 28,including but not limited to, acoustical ultrasonic sensor, radarsensors, and infrared sensors. The sensors 28 detect a variety ofinformation relating to the object 26 including the direction of theobject 26 relative to the vehicle 22. The sensors 28 may also be able todetect the distance of the object 26 relative to the vehicle 22 and/orthe size of the object 26.

The sensor array signal includes all of the information from each sensor28. The sensor array signal is sent to the processor 30 for processing.Once the processor 30 receives the sensor array signal all of theinformation is processed to determine various features of the detectedobject 26 including its direction relative to the vehicle.

Preferably, the vehicle 22 has a vehicle audio system. The speakerarrangement 32 is preferably part of the vehicle's audio system.Further, the audio system has at least two, but preferably, fourspeakers 32(a), 32(b), 32(c), 32(d). The speakers 32 are used to audiblyconvey the direction of the object 26 relative to the vehicle 22. As thevehicle 22 passes the object 26, the speaker 32 transmitting the soundvaries such that the sound will be transmitted primarily through thespeaker 32 closest to the object 26. In other words, the speakerarrangement includes speakers that are distributed around the driver,and through audio “imaging”, the directional component to the sound isprovided.

The speaker arrangement 32 transmits a sound that varies depending onthe distance of the object 26 relative to the vehicle 22. Preferably,the frequency of the sound transmitted through the speaker arrangement32 varies depending on the distance of the object 26 from the vehicle22. In the preferred embodiment, when an object 26 has been detected,the sound transmitted through the speaker arrangement 32 is a beepingsound. Therefore, the closer the object 26 is to the vehicle 22, themore beeps per time period will be transmitted through the speakerarrangement 32.

The speaker arrangement 32 also transmits a sound that varies dependingon the size of the object 26. Preferably, the tone of the soundtransmitted through the speaker arrangement 32 varies depending on thesize of the object 26. In the preferred embodiment, as the size of thedetected object 26 increases the tone of the sound transmitted throughthe speaker arrangement 32 will be lower. In other words, a lower tonedsound will be transmitted for larger objects and a higher-toned soundwill be transmitted for smaller objects.

FIG. 2 illustrates the method of detecting an object remote from avehicle. The method, shown generally at 120, includes the followingsteps. An object remote from the vehicle is detected, as shown at 122.At 124, information relating to the object is determined. Adetermination is made as to whether the information relating to theobject meets certain criteria, at 126. If certain criteria are not met,the system continues to detect objects remote from the vehicle. Ifcertain criteria are met, the system goes on to audibly transmitdetected object information via multiple channel sound through thevehicle's audio system, as shown at 128. At 130, the sound outputted ismodulated to give the driver directional cues for the position of theobject. The detected object information may also include the distance ofthe object relative to the vehicle and/or the size of the object.

The present object detection system can be used as either a driver aidor a safety device. As a driver aid, if the vehicle's audio system is onand an object is detected the warning sound will not override the audiosystem. In other words, the vehicle's audio system will continue tofunction and the warning sound will also be transmitted. As a safetydevice, if the vehicle's audio system is on and an object is detectedthe warning sound will override the audio system. In other words, theaudio system will turn off so that the driver will only hear the warningdetection sound.

Further, the present object detection system can be used in associationwith other vehicle safety features. For instance, an anti-lock brakingsystem might be activated by this system.

As a person skilled in the art of object detection systems willrecognize from the previous detailed description and from the figuresand claims, modifications and changes can be made to the preferredembodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of thisinvention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An object detection system for use in a vehiclecomprising: a sensor array for detecting an object remote from thevehicle and sensing a direction of the object with respect to thevehicle, said sensor array generating a signal upon detecting theobject; a speaker arrangement disposed inside the vehicle wherein saidspeaker arrangement transmits a sound that varies depending on the sizeof the object; and a processor for receiving said sensor array signaland creating a multiple channel driving signal for said speakerarrangement which is modulated by the direction of the object andoutputted by said speaker arrangement which provides audible cuesthrough audio imaging for a driver of the vehicle as to the direction ofthe object.
 2. The object detection system according to claim 1 whereinthe vehicle has a vehicle audio system and said speaker arrangement ispart of the vehicle audio system.
 3. The object detection systemaccording to claim 2 wherein said speaker arrangement comprises at leastfour speakers.
 4. The object detection system according to claim 3wherein said speaker arrangement primarily transmits sound from one ofsaid at least four speakers that is positioned closest to the object. 5.The object detection system according to claim 4 wherein as the vehiclepasses the object said speaker transmitting the sound varies such thatthe sound is primarily transmitted through said speaker closest to theobject.
 6. The object detection system according to claim 1 wherein saidsensor array is disposed outside the vehicle and comprises at least foursensors, the vehicle having a front side including at least one of saidat least four sensors, a left side including at least one of said atleast four sensors, a right side including at least one of said at leastfour sensors, and a rear side including at least one of said at leastfour sensors.
 7. The object detection system according to claim 1wherein said sensor arrangement detects the distance of the object fromthe vehicle.
 8. The object detection system according to claim 7 whereinsaid speaker arrangement transmits a sound that varies depending on thedistance of the object from the vehicle.
 9. The object detection systemaccording to claim 8 wherein a frequency of the sound transmittedthrough said speaker arrangement varies depending on the distance of theobject from the vehicle.
 10. The object detection system according toclaim 1 wherein said sensor array detects a size of the object.
 11. Theobject detection system according to claim 1 wherein a tone of the soundtransmitted through said speaker arrangement varies depending on thesize of the object.
 12. An object detection system for use in a vehicleto notify a human operator of the vehicle of an object remote from thevehicle, the object detection system comprising: a sensor arrangementfor detecting an object remote from the vehicle, sensing a direction ofthe object with respect to the vehicle and generating a signal upondetecting the object; a processor for receiving said sensor arrangementsignal, processing said sensor arrangement signal and transmitting amultiple channel processed sensor arrangement signal; at least twospeakers disposed inside the vehicle and physically separated forcommunicating with said processor to receive said processed sensorarrangement signal and audibly transmitting said processed sensorarrangement signal by transmitting sound that provides audible cuesthrough audio imaging for the human operator as to the direction of theobject; and wherein said sensor arrangement also senses a size of theobject and said at least two speakers transmit sound in a manner thatprovides audible cues for the human operator as to a size of the object.13. The object detection system of claim 12 wherein said sensorarrangement also senses a distance of the object relative to the vehicleand said at least two speakers transmit sound in a manner that providesaudible cues for the human operator as to the distance of the objectrelative to the vehicle.
 14. A method of detecting an object remote froma vehicle comprising: (A) detecting an object remote from a vehicle; (B)determining information relating to the object; (C) determining whetherthe information relating to the object meets certain criteria; (D)transmitting sound over multiple audio channels to audibly convey theobject information through an audio system in the vehicle when certaincriteria are met; and (E) modulating the sound outputted to give thedriver audible cues as to a size of the object and directional cuesthrough audio imaging for the position of the object.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 14 wherein the information relating to the objectalso includes the distance of the object relative to the vehicle. 16.The method according to claim 14 wherein the information relating to theobject also includes a size of the object.
 17. An object detectionsystem for use in a vehicle comprising: a sensor array for detecting anobject remote from the vehicle and sensing a direction of said objectwith respect to the vehicle, said sensor array generating a signal upondetecting said object; a speaker arrangement disposed inside thevehicle, wherein said speaker arrangement transmits a sound that variesdepending on a size of said object; and a processor for receiving saidsensor array signal and creating a driving signal for said speakerarrangement which is modulated by said direction of the object andoutputted by said speaker arrangement in a manner which provides audiblecues for a driver of the vehicle as to said direction of said object.18. The object detection system according to claim 17 wherein a tone ofthe sound transmitted through said speaker arrangement varies dependingon the size of the object.
 19. An object detection system for use in avehicle to notify a human operator of the vehicle of an object remotefrom the vehicle, the object detection system comprising: a sensorarrangement for detecting an object remote from the vehicle, sensing adirection of the object with respect to the vehicle and generating asignal upon detecting the object; a processor for receiving said sensorarrangement signal, processing said sensor arrangement signal andtransmitting a processed sensor arrangement signal; at least twospeakers disposed inside the vehicle and physically separated forcommunicating with said processor to receive said processed sensorarrangement signal and audibly transmitting said processed sensorarrangement signal by transmitting sound in a manner that providesaudible cues for the human operator as to the direction of the object:and wherein said sensor arrangement also senses a size of the object andsaid at least two speakers transmit sound in a manner that providesaudible cues for the human operator as to a size of the object.
 20. Amethod of detecting an object remote from a vehicle comprising:detecting an object remote from a vehicle; determining informationrelating to the object, wherein said information relating to the objectalso includes a size of the object; determining whether said informationrelating to the object meets certain criteria; transmitting sound overmultiple audio channels to audibly convey said information through anaudio system in the vehicle when certain criteria are met, where saidinformation audibly conveyed includes the size of the object; andmodulating said sound outputted to give an operator directional cues forthe position of the object.